UK Government Denies Role in Dropped China Spy Case Charges

The UK government firmly rejected allegations on October 13, 2023, that it intervened in the high-profile case of two men accused of espionage for China. This denial comes as the government faces increasing scrutiny regarding its approach to Beijing amid growing concerns over national security.

Charges against Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, were dropped last month after a two-year investigation. The pair had been arrested on suspicions of gathering information deemed potentially useful to an enemy, prompting questions about the government’s commitment to addressing espionage threats.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is navigating a complex landscape, balancing the need for foreign investment from China to bolster a struggling economy while considering a controversial request from Beijing to construct a new embassy in London. The Sunday Times reported that national security adviser Jonathan Powell advocated for withdrawal of the case, fearing it could jeopardize Chinese investment in the UK.

Starmer’s spokesman dismissed these claims as “entirely false,” asserting that no government official or adviser influenced the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in its decision-making process regarding this case. The CPS operates independently from the government and police, focusing on the evidence presented.

CPS chief Stephen Parkinson explained that the case was discontinued due to insufficient evidence to classify China as a security threat. Prosecutors had spent months attempting to acquire necessary evidence from the government but were met with challenges. To proceed under the UK’s Official Secrets Act, it was essential to demonstrate that the defendants acted on behalf of an enemy that posed a national security risk at the time of the alleged offences, which occurred between December 2021 and February 2023.

Starmer attributed the case’s failure to the previous Conservative government, which he claims did not formally designate China as a threat. Diplomatic relations between Beijing and the Conservative government deteriorated significantly before the party’s defeat in the last general election. In contrast, Starmer has sought to reset UK-China relations, becoming the first British prime minister in six years to meet with President Xi Jinping last year. Several government ministers have visited China, and Starmer is reportedly considering a trip himself.

The Labour government has resisted calls from Conservative leaders to elevate China to a higher risk category under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. This scheme would require individuals engaging in political activities for foreign powers to register with the government, failing which they could face prosecution.

On October 13, junior foreign minister Hamish Falconer emphasized that the Labour government does regard China as a national security threat, noting concerns related to cybersecurity, transnational repression, and China’s relationship with Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Nonetheless, Falconer acknowledged that cooperation with China is necessary in certain areas.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged Starmer to address the “unanswered questions” surrounding the case’s collapse. The government is expected to announce its decision soon regarding China’s proposal to build a large new embassy near the Tower of London, a development that has raised concerns among local residents and human rights advocates.

As the UK navigates its complex relationship with China, the fallout from this case highlights the delicate balance between national security and economic interests.